Microsoft Could Give Sneak Peek of Windows 9 at Sept. 30 Event

Microsoft on Monday announced an event that promises to bring news about Windows — likely a public demonstration of the next version of the operating system. "Join us to hear about what's next for Windows and the enterprise," reads the invitation to the Sept. 30 event in San Francisco. Rumors and leaked screenshots have exposed a number of features planned for Windows 9, such as a resurrected and reinvented "Start" button, something users have been asking for since it was all but eliminated in Windows 8. Multiple desktops, notifications and a generally refined interface appear to be on the menu as well — features aimed more at power users and enterprise than at the average Joe.

This event is almost certainly not a consumer launch, but if previous OS releases are any guide, a preview will soon be made available for developers and technically minded users and the real launch will take place some time in 2015.